The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-02-10
fully with

operate fully with state
geological survey of Texas.
The federal government will be able to
relieve the state of the great burden of
making detailed Topographic surveys,
and constructing accurate topographic
maps thsrefrom, and will furnish the
state authorities with carefully executed
Topographic maps, based on the most
elaborate and comprehensive system of
surveys of the surface of the country ever
undertaken. 1t is proposed to carry on
this work at the rate of perhaps 5000
square miles per year, and it is proposed
to spend on the same work within your
state fifteen or twenty thousand dollars a
year, until the work is completed. The
topograp pho maps are printed from cop
per plates, upon which such corrections
and alterations as are required may be
made from time to time, they are of
convenient sine for use in field or office.
The limited number required in the pro-
secution of the state survey will be sup
piled without cost, and any larger number
of copies required for publication can be
obtained at the small nominal cost of
paper and printing"
Concerning the geologic work, he
says: 'It is proposed to continue from
year to year the general study of the
geologic structure of the State of Texas
thus inaugurated. These Investigations
will serve as a sufficient basis for the de-
tailed economic and csdastral researches
which it b legitimate function for the
state to prosecute, and which are carried
on by state geologists." Moreover, if
an adequately endorsed survey is estab-
lished by the state at any time in the
near future, before the general structural
Investigations of this survey have extend
ed over the whole of your territory or
into those portions which it is deemed de-
sirable to study at an early day, will ar
range to have the geologic work of this
survey carried forward in those regions in
which the state geologist is employed, thus
securing for the state the fullest benefits
of cooperation, and the service of a
trained specialist in an important part of
the work of the survey, without cost to
the state. You will, of course, understand
that such cooperation would not be just
or possible unless the state survey is ade-
quately endowed, and in position to ex-
pend an annual sum commensurate with
that expended by this survey in purely
geologic (not Topographic work in the
state, and more particularly unless the
individual filling the position of state ge-
ologist is competent geologist and trust
worthy officer"
From the above extracts from Major
Powell's letter to Senator Coke it will be
seen that the state of Texas will be en-
abled to undertake this work under
the most advantageous circum-
stances ever afforded state
and with three-fourths of the ex'
pense virtually assumed by the United
States geological survey. The eminently
successful geological surveys of New
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky
and other states, have all had to bear the
expense of that Topographic and geologic
work which the government survey nov
offers to assume. The state of Texas ha
only to secure competent geologist, ant
initiate the work upon an intelligen
basis, and it can not do this too soon.
HOW THE STATE WORK DAN BE INITIATED.
The bill introduced in the senate b.
Senator Simkins yesterday provides for
feasible, systematic and economic geolo
gical survey of the state. 1t is by far tn,
most perfect of the three bills thus ia
presented in the legislature, and, Will
embodying all their good points, omit
their Objectionable features. 1t provide
for a state geological commission, thu
duty of which shall be to appoint a stat
geologist and such assistants as may b.
necessary, and to begin as soon as posi-
} BILE thorough and systematic geological
survey of the state, with especia
view to developing its economic
resources. The state geologist mus
be man of recognized scientific
ability, and, in addition to biennial ad
ministrative reports, he must, from tim
to time as the state of knowledge permits
present final reports for publication, con
tanning as thorough an exposition of tn
subject treated as is possible. Thes
final reports, in the aggregate, will con
stitute invaluable and permanent works o
reference upon the geology and natura
resources of the state. The bill also pro
} vides for the deposition of all collection
within the state museum. $4,000
J asked for the beginning of the survey.
The verbage and construction of thi
bill is such that, while the organization
starts on a modest basis, it will be able T.
: continue from year TO year until the wor
is completed. The provision for super
vising commission will make the organi
, cation independent of the individual de
ficiencies of the state geologist, should al
} inferior one be appointed, in spite of tn
, restrictions of the bill intended to proven
such misfortune. This bill has bee
drawn up with much care and is base
upon the best features of the successful
geological surveys of other states, and,
passed, will secure the Inauguration of
systematic survey of our state that wi
J prove invaluable.
If the provisions of this bill are &C
/ cepted there is no doubt but what tn
United States survey will cooperate wit
our state to the utmost, and it is onl
hoped that the legislature will see tn
: Importance of the work and pass this o
some better bill at once.